Hi, everyone. I am new here, but I have a few questions regarding a situation. It is kind of complicated, so please bear with me on explaining a few of the details. I joined the Marine Corps in 2010 and in the winter of 2012, I became depressed due to work and relationship reasons (I found out my girlfriend of two years at the time was cheating on me and my platoon sergeant told me he was going to "end my career" because although I ran a first class PFT and CFT, I was not fast, so he started giving me bs negative counselings daily for things such as "having a monotone voice" to build up 'bad paperwork' to help his case). My higher leadership recognized it was a bad environment to be in, so I was moved to a different unit and I was put on antidepressants. I became suicidal in the beginning of 2013 and attempted suicide (which I believe to be a reaction to the medication) and was hospitalized. Midway through 2013, I was moved out of my MOS due to my security clearance needing to be reviewed, and was found to be fit to keep my clearance and returned to my MOS. But not before a MEB was started.
In 2014, I was medically retired from the USMC. I was found unfit for duty for an ankle sprain, knee tendinitis, a wrist sprain, a back strain, as well as depressive disorder NOS and borderline personality disorder. While I was undergoing the MEB process I met consistently with a counselor who told me he did not understand how or why someone would determine I was borderline. At the time I was also struggling with gender identity disorder, which my original psychiatrist knew, so he told me if I did not accept the medical discharge for depression and borderline, I would be administratively discharged for being transgender anyhow and not receive benefits upon leaving the military. I did not know any better, and still don't know if this is true, but suffice it to say I did not fight any step of the way--from MEB to PEB to medical retirement, I signed and agreed to everything they put in front of me.
My questions start because if we know I am not borderline, how ethical was this decision to tell me to go along with everything? I looked through my PEB paperwork a week ago and found a letter I did not write and had never read, but it was signed by me (most likely in my period of "just go with it"). In short, it stated my desire to leave the Marine Corps and stated that I was unable and unqualified to perform my job, maintain physical fitness, or more importantly handle weapons. This does not make sense to me because not only did I perform my job during this period, I got high pros/cons, ran a first class PFT and CFT, intermediate swim qualified, shot expert on the rifle range, and completed many MCIs and a few education courses. The claims just do not seem backed by the evidence. And if that is the case, how could any of those conditions be unfitting?
I know this seems backwards to even imply, but I don't believe I should have been medically retired, especially permanently. I don't believe I am permanently disabled, and neither do the VA doctors I see. Since I got out of the military, I have been going to school and maintaining a high GPA, I work in a competitive hospital internship, volunteer at another hospital, volunteer with a humanitarian relief organization, and am a part of a scientific research program partnership with two colleges. I know this does not pertain to my service, but I am offering it as evidence that I can certainly deal with having a job and being under stress.
Should I do anything to address or correct this issue, or leave well enough alone since I am retired? Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.
In 2014, I was medically retired from the USMC. I was found unfit for duty for an ankle sprain, knee tendinitis, a wrist sprain, a back strain, as well as depressive disorder NOS and borderline personality disorder. While I was undergoing the MEB process I met consistently with a counselor who told me he did not understand how or why someone would determine I was borderline. At the time I was also struggling with gender identity disorder, which my original psychiatrist knew, so he told me if I did not accept the medical discharge for depression and borderline, I would be administratively discharged for being transgender anyhow and not receive benefits upon leaving the military. I did not know any better, and still don't know if this is true, but suffice it to say I did not fight any step of the way--from MEB to PEB to medical retirement, I signed and agreed to everything they put in front of me.
My questions start because if we know I am not borderline, how ethical was this decision to tell me to go along with everything? I looked through my PEB paperwork a week ago and found a letter I did not write and had never read, but it was signed by me (most likely in my period of "just go with it"). In short, it stated my desire to leave the Marine Corps and stated that I was unable and unqualified to perform my job, maintain physical fitness, or more importantly handle weapons. This does not make sense to me because not only did I perform my job during this period, I got high pros/cons, ran a first class PFT and CFT, intermediate swim qualified, shot expert on the rifle range, and completed many MCIs and a few education courses. The claims just do not seem backed by the evidence. And if that is the case, how could any of those conditions be unfitting?
I know this seems backwards to even imply, but I don't believe I should have been medically retired, especially permanently. I don't believe I am permanently disabled, and neither do the VA doctors I see. Since I got out of the military, I have been going to school and maintaining a high GPA, I work in a competitive hospital internship, volunteer at another hospital, volunteer with a humanitarian relief organization, and am a part of a scientific research program partnership with two colleges. I know this does not pertain to my service, but I am offering it as evidence that I can certainly deal with having a job and being under stress.
Should I do anything to address or correct this issue, or leave well enough alone since I am retired? Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.
